Brown Returns, Rozier Drops Career-High In Celtics 104-93 Win Over Kings
On Sunday night head coach Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics sealed up their 50th win of the year, with a 104-93 win over the Sacramento Kings in the first…
On Sunday night head coach Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics sealed up their 50th win of the year, with a 104-93 win over the Sacramento Kings in the first of back-to-back road games.
Celtics fans got some great news early in the day.
Prior to tip-off, the Celtics announced that rising star Jaylen Brown, who's missed six straight games, would make his return to the starting lineup.
It was the first time Brown would play since Thursday, March 8, after suffering a concussion against the Minnesota Timberwolves following a scary fall from the rim after hammering home a slam-dunk.
The C’s also announced before game-time that they would be without Marcus Morris (right ankle sprain) in the second of their four-game West Coast trip.
Coming into the game, the Kings were 5-5 over their last 10 games, while holding down the twelfth spot in the West.
As for the Celtics, they came to California looking to win their third straight and for the first time in Sacramento since 2011.
The Kings jumped out to a 23-17 lead late in the first following a 9-0 run, but the C’s responded with a quick seven points in the closing minute to pull within three.
After starting the second with a 27-24 lead, the Kings kept knocking down threes, finishing the first half six-for-six from deep.
But despite shooting 61.8 percent from the field, the Celtics trailed the Kings, 60-52, heading into halftime.
The C's struggled with turnovers (10) throughout the first half, costing them valuable possessions. They would clean things up on the offensive end, as they'd go onto finish the night with 16 turnovers.
Terry Rozier III buried three of his eight three-pointers during a 16-2 Celtics run, that lasted more than four minutes throughout the middle of the third quarter.
Just 4:13 into the third, the Celtics finally regained the lead for the first time since the 3:23 mark in the first, after Rozier knocked down his seventh three of the game for a 65-64 lead.
The Celtics struggled offensively following their game changing run, but it was Greg Monroe who'd finally break the C’s almost three-minute long scoring draught with 2:29 left in the third.
The C’s took an 80-78 lead into the fourth, before going on a 14-6 run that lasted more than five minutes during the middle of the final quarter.
Boston finished off a dominate fourth quarter, where they would out-score the Kings, 24-15, for a 104-93 win in Sac-City.
Rozier finished the night with a career-high 33 points (8-12 3PT) on 75 percent shooting from the field. He’d also finish the game with five rebounds, three assists and five steals.
In his first game back, Brown finished with 19 points (6-10 FG), two rebounds and an assist during 25 minutes on the floor.
Wait a second! Didn't Brown's mom say no more dunking?!
And Al Horford filled the stat sheet with 14 points, five rebounds boards and eight assists.
The C’s bench combined for 20 points on 7-for-22 from the field. And as a team, the C's shot 55.6 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from three.
Buddy Hield led all Kings with 21 points (8-16 FG) and six rebounds.
Update On Kyrie Irving:
On Saturday the Celtics announced that Kyrie Irving is “expected to return to basketball activities in 3-6 weeks” after undergoing a “minimally-invasive procedure to remove a tension wire in his left knee.”
His knee is ‘structurally sound,’ which sounds like good news for what it’s worth.
UP NEXT: The Celtics (50-23) will play the second of a back-to-back and the third of a four-game road trip on Monday night against the Phoenix Suns (19-55). Catch the call of Monday's game with Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell, live on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Pre-game coverage begins at 9:30 p.m., with tip-off set for 10:00 p.m.
-- By John 'The Dude' Hardiman, 985TheSportsHub.com
John Hardiman is a Digital Producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for John? Hit him up on Twitter @HardiDude or e-mail him at john.hardiman@bbgi.com.
